JOSÉ ORTEGA
The beautiful artwork of this Sevillian artist is always true to his roots, as in each of his exhibitions we are provided with more samples of his particular urban geography , always the same but also different, which is displayed in his paintings full of bright and colorful spaces. José Ortega uses his easel to tear the essence of each and all of the landscapes he chooses, their peaceful atmosphere and the authenticity of their character. Endowed with an excellent craft and an exquisite sensitivity, he paints from old residential courtyards - we must mention his beautiful interpretation of the Muro de los Navarros-, to refined scenes such as the House of Pilate; and from the Triana Bridge to the churches of San Pablo and Salvador. We also have to mention his splendid perspective of the Plaza del Pan-and Maria Luisa´s park. José Ortega has also captured other smaller and more intimate landscapes, including the garden that surrounds the house of Miguel Ballesta-his partner and friend- in Mazagón. He fills his canvases with the light that bathes the Cruz del Mar in Chipiona as well. When we talk about José Ortega, we talk about beautiful paintings, supported by a very constructive drawing and in which, without unnecessary devices, planes and distances are expressed by color itself. That color which, despite its richness, is never strident, as the measured palette of Ortega softens it with care, stripping it from any excess or superfluous boast. Although he is obsessed with capturing the fleeting moment, the unique shine, everything is measured in his painting. We can feel the harmony with which the atmosphere and light envelops the buildings and vegetation, the adequately nuanced shades that José Ortega shows in his seventeen oil paintings, which are part of this evocative exhibition.
Born in Seville, he began his studies at age twelve at the School of Arts and Crafts and the Fine Arts School. After that he continued his studies in Madrid, where he attended the School of San Fernando; at the same time, he started painting his own artwork copying techniques from the masters whose work was displayed in the Prado Museum.
During his Madrid years, he held several individual and collective exhibitions and events at the Fall and Spring Venues, where he won several landscape painting awards.
His first solo exhibition was at the Sala Dardo in 1955; after that, he held several exhibitions at different art galleries: at Sala Toisón in 1957 and in 1959; In 1965 he displayed his artwork at Sala Alcón, in 1967 at Sala Cano, etc. ..
His connection with Sanlucar de Barrameda, an Andalusian beach village, started in the 30´ as it was the summer resort of the Ortega family; nowadays, he spends great part of the year there and has recently held an exhibition in the town.
His painting is dominated by landscapes and although he has always cultivated all genres as figures, portraits, still life, etc ... for some years now he has been devoted solely to painting landscapes of cities, countrysides and seascapes. In all cases, he always places his easel in front of the real scenery, although he sometimes interprets it freely.
He has exhibited his artwork in Sevilla for many years now and at several galleries, including the former headquarters of the cultural centre Ateneo on Tetuan Street, Sala Alvaro Azcue, the Caja San Fernando Foundation among others, and also in Madrid, Bilbao( at Caledonia Gallery), in Valencia and Barcelona. The next exhibition will take place at the new Ateneo centre on Orfila Street.
He has been traveling for the most part of his life painting everywhere, although nowadays he employs the majority of his time in painting the light and colors of Sanlúcar and Seville.